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Published: January 24th 2019
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Snowshoeing with Roman
Getting in shape in single digit snowy weather with my dog. 00
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Only 7 days before I fly to "Good Air" Buenos Aires (BA), Argentina! What's not to like about warm 85˚F, sunny and palm trees after snowshoeing in lots of snow and cold? Yikes! Time is flying. I am mostly packed and thankfully will be just within the airline weight limits of 50 pounds per duffel bag. PTL, I fit in all 21 pairs of underwear! LOL. Had to last minute order more packing cubes, the last 4 arriving today. I have been also brushing up on my Spanish, reading a book about using my new 83X telephoto bridge camera, learning my new GoPro camera, learning the names of all of the ship's 30 sails, reading everything I can find about all of the places I am going to be visiting, hiring a BA guide, getting all of my papers organized into booklets (one copy for Mark), getting health insurances finalized, signing up for international calling plans, notifying US embassies and credit card companies of my travels, etc.
Spanish is the official language in Argentina. Although I had 2 years of high school + one year of college Spanish, I have not spoken Spanish since I was in Mexico 37
A Backpack & 2 Duffel Bags
All of my prep comes down to one carry-on and 2 checked bags. Very heavy @ 100 pounds and no wheels!!! years ago. So, I hired a Porteño to give me a private walking tour of BA + taxis for 1 ½ days. Porteño is literally a person of a port city. He is a local of European descent and is going to meet me at my hotel at check-in and take me on a ½ day tour right away and a full day tour a day later. I am so relieved to have an English speaking guide immediately after check-in. He has a college degree in Tourism and has spent his entire life in BA. I gave him a list of things I would like to do and places to visit. He will customize to my wishes + add things that most tourists would not know about. BA metro area is huge. And with over 15 million people, is much larger than Chicago. Public transportation is extensive. There are subways, city buses, taxis, Uber and ferries. It is a daunting task to try to do BA in only 4 days and nights. My friend Claudia gave me a list of not-to-miss places and restaurants. (I met Claudia from my previous 2 month voyage and we have remained in contact for
Europa Sail Plan
I have to know all 24 listed sails plus the 6 studsails (studs'l) which are hoisted out on extensions of the yard arms during lower winds. I will learn how to hoist, unfurl and furl all sails during the voyage. over 9 years. She lived most her life in BA and now lives in Jamaica.) I do not eat very much beef or drink much red wine. But that is about to change. Argentina is renowned for its beef dishes and Malbecs. When in Argentina, do as the Argentines (or Argentineans) do! Right? Well, yes, except maybe not learning the tango, thank you. Ha!
Per Claudia's advice, I'll be staying right downtown near the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) waterfront in the Recoleta barrio (neighborhood). Recoleta is one of the most expensive barrios (thank you Claudia!) and has many French style buildings, high-rises, large parks and high end restaurants. I will be near and will tour the Cementerio de la Recoleta (Recoleta Cemetery) where former First Lady Eva Peron is buried.
I find it interesting that the BA's waterfront "Rio de la Plata" can be considered the widest river (140 mi) in the world, or an estuary, or a gulf or bay of the Atlantic Ocean. And silver ("plata" in Spanish) in Argentina was a myth of the early explorers. In fact, the word "argentina" is Italian for silver as waves of European immigrants came in
Moon December 25, 2018 @ 7:52AM EST
Experimenting taking moon shots with my 83X telephoto bridge camera was a bigger challenge than I had expected. Love the built-in Moon setting with many filters to adjust color tones. However, the moon constantly moves across the zoomed display. So, I had to keep panning the camera on the tripod with almost every shot, not easy when zoomed in. Not sure how I will get photos like this on a moving ship. the 1800's from Italy, Spain and Germany. The official name of the country is "Republica Argentina" (Argentine Republic). Argentina is pronounced with the "g" as an "h", as Arr-hen-teena. BA is pronounced as "Boyne-nose Eye-rrays." You have to roll the r's, difficult for me. Ha!
I am very excited to experience Arr-hen-teena! Now, only seven days before heading to paradise, but who is counting?
"A cowchip is paradise for a fly." - Ken Alstad
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Gail of the Seas
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Travel Wishes
Travel safe, dear friend, and come home hale and hearty. Remember a ll (double L) in Argentina is almost a hard J sound,,, Belles Artes is more like Bajes Artes, great museum on Libertador, close to your hotel. Stock up on protien with that buttery tender beef and velvety malbec, there are many Italian immigrants that make up the Bs As population so pizza and Italian foods are great, and your breakfast is likely "media lunas", little half moon croissants, with dulce de leche caramel, along w great coffee. Remembef to HOLD TIGHT! LOVE YOU and wish you FAIR WINDS and CALM SEAS, Gail of the seas